Billy Long: Why I voted no on the budget deal

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

“I could not support this budget because not only does it break the budget caps Congress agreed to in 2011, it promises spending cuts down the road that may not happen.

 While this budget agreement does contain some good reforms, such as targeting waste and fraud in some government programs, those good intentions were not enough to support the overall bill. As a former small business owner I understand the importance of budgeting, but our country can no longer afford to keep putting off the tough choices that need to be made to get our nation’s spending and debt under control.

 I will continue to fight for the hardworking taxpayers who are telling me Washington must get serious about addressing our nation’s fiscal mess. We need to make the tough decisions now to fix this mess for our children and grandchildren.”